Tom Brunkow and his wife Kathy moved to MonteCedro in 2017 from the Washington, DC area. An active member of the USTA (US Tennis Association) most of his adult life, Tom has competed in all four categories of national doubles championships: grass, clay, hardcourt and indoors.

He had won 13 National Titles and had been ranked Number 1 in his age category eight times. However, Tom wondered how moving to Southern California would affect his tennis. Would he get matches and would he find a new doubles partner with whom he could compete?

Initially, he struggled to find adequate tennis games in Southern California. Playing less, Tom says his skills declined, and he was missing tournament competition. Gradually he found his way into local tennis groups and began playing more often. Tom also found a new doubles partner, George Sarantos. Yet he was concerned that he was losing some of his conditioning.

With the USTA, the matches and competitions are categorized by age range. “With my eligibility for the 85-and-over division on the horizon I wanted to get in better shape,” Tom says. “I’ve always been quick on the court, and I didn’t want to lose that.” That’s when Tom turned to Cesar Barragan, Regional Fitness Trainer, for help. “I asked Cesar, ‘Can you develop a custom fitness program to keep me playing tennis?’”

Cesar oversees the range of fitness programs at MonteCedro and works with residents for overall fitness and strength training. “Tom was different,” Cesar says. “He had specific goals in mind for his tennis, and he was curious whether he could improve his tennis game.”

As Tom was already active, “what I developed for him was more specific to his performance,” Cesar says. He created a program for Tom to strengthen muscles around his knees and his back, arm strength for serving, general endurance, stretching and agility training. Tom embraced the program, working out three times a week.

With his doubles partner and Cesar’s fitness program, Tom started to climb back up into the upper ranks of Super Senior tennis. Since moving to MonteCedro, Tom has competed in a range of championships. He won:

• The Bronze Ball in the National Grandfather/Grandson Hard Court Championships in La Jolla, CA.
• The Gold Ball in the National Grandfather/Grandson Grass Court Championships in Boston, MA.
• The Bronze Medal at the World Tennis Championships Men’s 80+ doubles in Mallorca, Spain.

This year has been especially successful for Tom on the court. He has won:

• The Gold Medal at the Wilson World Tennis Championships Men’s 85+ doubles in Palm Desert, CA.
• The Silver Ball at the National Senior Men’s Hardcourt Championships 85+ doubles in Laguna Woods, CA.

Tom credits his achievements to Cesar’s helpfulness and insight, supporting him and his goals on the court.

Cesar says that many residents don’t realize the number of ways to stay active as they get older.
He works with them to develop personalized programs that include strength training for seniors, balance exercises for older adults and flexibility exercises for seniors. Cesar describes how there are so many benefits of exercise for older adults. Many who commit to regular exercise find they are actually putting on muscle. Not only are they becoming stronger, their improved strength and balance also helps to prevent falls.

“Some of the residents have never been to the gym before, and they find the machines can be a little bit intimidating at first,” Cesar says. Once the residents understand the opportunities they have to get stronger, Cesar says he really sees success. “One gentleman who moved here had never worked with weights before. Now I can see the difference in him, how he walks, how he carries himself. He’s stronger.”

Along with strength training in the gym, Cesar oversees the extensive range of classes that are available to residents, from aqua aerobics to balance training, Tai Chi, Zumba classes and more. “I’m most proud of people progressing and becoming better and stronger than when they moved to MonteCedro,” Cesar says.

To those considering MonteCedro, Tom says, “If you like to compete in a sport, you can find the support and fitness opportunities here. I’m stronger now and have had my best success this year. I feel so fortunate to have a fitness center and a trainer right here where we live.”

About us

MonteCedro is a vibrant, senior independent living community in Altadena. The eight-acre property, which is nestled at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains, offers a worry-free luxury lifestyle supported by exceptional services and amenities, with a holistic, proactive approach to health and wellness, customizable accommodations, and an active, vibrant social life.